Vientiane to Luang Prabang Explorer
(11 days)
Vientiane – Vang Vieng – Nam Ming River – Highlands – Elephant Camp – Luang Prabang
Highlights
-
Sightseeing the capital, Vientiane
-
Caving + kayaking in Vang Vieng
-
3 day jungle trek + village homestay
-
Stay in a unique Elephant Lodge
-
Ride an elephant
-
UNESCO World Heritage town, Luang Prabang
Overview
For the ultimate Laos adventure, travel overland from the capital, Vientiane to the UNESCO World Heritage town of Luang Prabang. This trip is jam-packed with active travel, culture and awesome scenery. You trek mountainous regions, raft amid stunningly beautiful lime stone karsts, explore spectacular caves and overnight in remote hill tribe villages for an authentic cultural experience. To complete your journey, you ride an elephant into the jungle to Tad Sae Waterfalls. Over 11 days you discover Laos is an adventure destination not to be missed!
Itinerary at a glance
Day 1 |
Arrive Vientiane and check into hotel. Afternoon sightseeing and dinner. |
Day 2 |
Vientiane city sightseeing. |
Day 3 |
Drive to Vang Vieng, afternoon exploring lime stone caves. |
Day 4 |
Hiking, caving and kayaking in Vang Vieng and surrounds. |
Day 5 |
Drive to a recently discovered cave and explore. Overnight in the jungle, camp in the highlands. |
Day 6 |
Kayak or raft the Nam Ming River. Camp under the stars. |
Day 7 |
Trek highlands and overnight in a village homestay. |
Day 8 |
Trek remote and sparsely populated hinterland. Overnight in a village. |
Day 9 |
Finish trek and drive to Elephant Park Project. Overnight at Lao Spirit Resort. |
Day 10 |
Bathe with the elephants and ride an elephant to Tad Sae Waterfalls (September to January). Drive to Luang Prabang. |
Day 11 |
Breakfast in your hotel and transfer to the airport. |
Please Note: This trip can also travel in reverse departing from Luang Prabang and finishing in Vientiane.
Prices
Per Person / Twin Share |
Price AUD |
3 to 4 people |
1555 |
2 people |
1815 |
Single Supplement |
On request |
Validity |
30 April 2009 |
Includes:
- Hotel + guesthouse accommodation based on twin share. If a single room is required a single supplement will apply.
- Jungle camp + village homestays
- Return airport transfers
- All transportation as per itinerary
- English speaking guide
- Support crew for activities
- Entrance fees + village permission
- All activities and sightseeing as per itinerary
- Rafts/kayaks
- Luggage transfer during your trek
- Water for the trek
Meals:
- 10 Breakfasts
- 7 Lunches
- 5 Dinners
Excludes:
- Airfares and departure taxes
- Travel insurance
- Visa, passport or vaccination costs
- Other meals not specified in the itinerary
- Personal expenses such as laundry, telephone calls, bar charges, tips, optional activities
A minimum of two is required for the tour to operate. Prices are in Australian dollars based upon the number of people travelling together. Price reduces as your travel group sizes increases. Price is land content only and subject to currency fluctuations.
Prices beyond 30/4/09 available on request. See Booking Conditions for more details. Call 1300 43 10 69 for a detailed itinerary.
Trip notes
Hotels, guesthouses + homestays
In towns and cities you will stay in standard hotels with private facilities. Hotels are centrally located to tourist attractions and restaurants. Guesthouses are simple and some come with share facilities. The jungle lodge and homestays in villages are simple in terms of bedding and amenities. You are provided with a mattress, clean sheet, pillow, blankets and mosquito net. Accommodation and amenities are shared. Toilets are squat, non-flushing as you will find in many parts of South East Asia.
Lao Spirit Resort
Situated on the Khan River, the Elephant Park Project was established in 2003 and aims to protect the Asian Elephant. Located on the opposite bank of the River is the Elephant Lodge which forms part of the Lao Spirit Resort, Laos’ first eco tourism accommodation. This 100 year old Lao farm house was relocated and beautifully restored to provide five apartment rooms. It is quite special to relax at sunset on your own private terrace with views to the mountains, the elephants and the river.
Food
All meals, indicated in the detailed itinerary, are included in the price. When you are trekking, you are offered what produce is in season, but there will always be plenty of ‘sticky rice’ – a staple food in Laos. Please advise us if you have any special dietary requirements.
The trekking day
A typical trekking day starts at around 8.30am. We aim to reach the next overnight stop between 4.30pm and 5.00pm. During the trek you will have plenty of breaks for rests, snacks and photographs.
Rafting / kayaking
Rafts are sturdy and can fit two people. You will be equipped with helmets, life jacket and paddles. Kayaks will be used when available. The rivers in Laos vary from challenging rapids and fast flowing sections to calm sections of water. Your guide will brief you on what to expect and will ensure you raft sections that are suited to your level of ability. In the wet season (May to September) water can flow up to four times faster than normal.
Local guides
English speaking guides support your sightseeing and trekking activities. These guides are proud of their job and consider it an honour to show you their country. They have been fully trained in guiding outdoor tours around Luang Prabang. If you feel your guide provided you with great service, a tip at the end of the tour would be truly appreciated… a little bit goes a long way in Laos.
What to bring
We suggest using a sports bag or backpack for your overnight luggage – maximum weight of 15kg. This bag will be transported by support vehicle while you are trekking and exploring the highlands. You will carry your own daypack for daily activities. Please pack lightly – 10kg, as you will have to carry your own luggage for three days while trekking. We recommend using a sturdy daypack with good back support and a waterproof cover. Carry your important documents and personal items with you at all times – an all weather money belt is ideal. Please dress conservatively in the countryside and villages and when entering temple areas.
Your luggage should include: trekking boots or walking shoes, thongs or comfortable slip-on shoes for after walking all day, light weight long pants + shorts, shirt + t-shirt, warm clothes for at night, bathers, sarong (for women to swim in), small towel, raincoat, hat, sunglasses, sun block, strong insect repellent (Deet medicated preferred), small medical kit, flashlight, essential toiletries, water bottle, camera, spare batteries, pen + paper, original passport, barley sugar/ lollies for sustenance, zip lock bags, toilet paper and personal medication and a light weight sleeping bag.
If you have room in your backpack, bring some books to give away as gifts. You can help local children improve their reading skills by buying picture books printed in their own language. For more information on this worthwhile project, visit www.laobooks.com
Note on client safety
We reserve the right to deviate from this itinerary for any reason, including road and weather conditions, frequency of visits to a village, or for any other factor that may impact client safety.
Your group + share accommodation
Prices are based upon twin share accommodation. A single traveller pays the single supplement price for sole use of a room. If you are travelling in a group of three and are happy to share a triple room and a triple room is available, you will not be charged the single supplement price. For groups of five or seven people, the single traveller pays the single supplement price if a triple room is not available or you do not want to share. The number of single rooms and triple rooms available may be limited – so book early to avoid disappointment.
Handy travel tips + travelling responsibly
For more information on how you can participate in sustainable tourism go to Handy Travel Tips. For assistance in planning your trip go to Laos Visa + Travel Guide .
